Hydraulic track aligner



Dec. 20, 1955 FOX HYDRAULIC TRACK ALIGNER 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 30, 1954 INVENTOR mama *XTTORNEYs Dec. 20, 1955 R. L. FOX

HYDRAULIC TRACK ALIGNER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 30, 1954 INVENTOR ZMfi a;

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HYDRAULIC TRACK ALIGNER Filed Sept. 30, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 L r y m I ,7, 7 1777. I a g j I W;

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HYDRAULIC TRACK ALIGNER Filed Sept. 50, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 iesen dfr IN VENTOR g au'wzy/ua ATTORNEYS HYDRAULIC TRACK ALIGNER Robert L. Fox, Alexandria, Va. Application September 30, 1954, Serial No'. 459,348 16 Claims. (Cl. 153-48) This invention relates to railway track maintenance, and more particularly to a device for maintaining proper alignment of the rails ofa track by means of the application of transverse bending stresses. Track aligning, as heretofore practiced, has involved the use of portable equipment which is moved from place to place on a work car or the like, unloaded, utilized, re-loaded and moved to the next point requiring alignment. Track alignment by this method is time-consuming and costly, requiring the services of a relatively large crew for handling and operating the necessary jacks and other equipment.

The general object of the present invention is the provision of a self-contained track aligner comprising a framework, track-engaging wheels movably mounted on said framework, rail-engaging clamps or abutments at either end of the frame for engaging a rail to be bent into alignment on either side of the misaligned portion, movable clamps or abutments positioned generally centrally of the machine for engaging the misaligned rail portion, and means for moving the last-mentioned clamps or abutments to bend the rail and bring it into proper alignment. Preferably, the rail bending clamps or abutments are hydraulically actuated, and the machine is provided with a prime mover and a hydraulic apparatus for actuating the same. For convenience in moving the machine from place to place along a section of track undergoing maintenance wor the machine is provided with travelling wheels of the usual type, flanged on one side, and a motor driven drive wheel. The flanged wheels are vertically retractable in order to permit the machine to be removed bodily from the track in order to permit the passage of regular rail trafiic, or for storage when not in use. To this end, two of the flanged wheels are vertically reciprocable, by hydraulic means, while two other flanged wheels, for engaging the other rail of the track, are journalled on spindles which are in turn pivoted for vertical angular movement relative to the main frame, means being providedto retain such spindles in position at either end of their pivotal travel. Preferably, the means for vertically reciprocating certain of the flanged wheels comprise hydraulic cylinders operated from the hydraulic means previously mentioned.

The clamps or rail abutment devices mounted'at the respective ends of the main frame are likewise vertically retractable, through hydraulic means, so that they may be lifted above rail level while the machine is travelling from point to point, to avoid interference with rail joints,

switches, etc.

The machine is provided with a hydraulic system including a group of valves for operating the several hydraulic cylinders and the aforesaid driving motor, and with an operators seat positioned before the aforesaid group of valves, so that the entire operation may be expeditiously carried out by a single operator, thus enabling a very large saving of labor.

All of the foregoing features are considered to be part a 1 2,727,557 Patented Dec. 20, 1955 of the present invention, and their provision is among the objects thereof.

Other and further objects, features and advantages will be apparent from the description which follows, read in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a plan view of a device constructed in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the device of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a vertical section on line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a vertical section on line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a vertical section on line 5-5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a view taken on line 6-6 of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a view taken on line 7-7 of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a vertical section on line 8-8 of Figure 1;

Figure 9 is a vertical section on line 9-9 of Figure 1;

Figure 10 is a section taken on line 10-10 of Figure 9;

Figure ll is a section on line 11-11 of Figure 1; and

Figure 12 is a diagrammatic view showing the prime mover and hydraulic circuits.

in order to facilitate an understanding of the invention, reference is made to the embodiment thereof shown in the accompanying drawings and detailed descriptive language is employed. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the invention is thereby intended and that various changes and alterations are contemplated such as would ordinarily occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, the main framework of the present device is fabricated from relatively heavy and strong material, for example 5-inch channel section steel girders 15, 16, 17 and 18, welded together to form a relatively long and narrow diamondshaped framework as shown. Suitable cross bracing may consist of angle irons arranged in X-fashion as at 19, 19 centrally of the main frame, 20, 20' and 21, 21' intermediate the center of the main frame and either end, and 22, 22 and 23, 23' at the respectiveextremities of the frame. The transverse bracing of the frame is further strengthened by the transverse members 24, 24 and 25, 25 bordering the X-braces 2t 20' and 21, 21', respectively, as well as by the transverse members supporting the various operatix e features yet to be described.

It will be seen that the main frame is of a breadth approximating the spacing between the rails 10 and 11 of a standard railway track, but is mounted so as to be centered, longitudinally, over one of said rails. In order to support the frame in proper horizontal alignment and on both rails, two axles versely of the main frame, each carrying a flanged roller 28 and a cylindrical rolling support 29. The supports 29 are fixed in position longitudinally of the axles 26, 27, but are of much greater breadth than the head portion of the rail 10, while the rollers 28 float on the axles 26, 27 so as to accommodate transverse movement of the frame relative to the rail 11. The axles 26 and 27 are permanently positioned with respect to the main frame, and serve to support the same during track aligning operations.

Additional flanged rollers 28 chine float on shafts 28" mounted between brackets 15', 16 and 17', 18', respectively, secured to the corresponding main frame members.

For traveling from point to the track aligning machine is rail engaging wheels 30, 30 and 31, 31'. The wheels 30 and 31 are journalled on short shafts 32 (Figure 6) secured between parallel horizontal members 33 which are vertically movable in slideways 34. Each spindle 32 likewise extends through the respective arms of a yoke 35 which is connected, at its upper end, to the piston rod 36 of a hydraulic cylinder 37. In this manner,

at either end of the mapoint along the track, provided with conventional the machine is raised relatively it is apparent that the wheels and 31 may be hydraulically raised and lowered relative to the main frame, for the purpose of raising and lowering the latter relative to the rail 11.

The wheels 30 and 31' are journalled, respectively, at the outer ends of spindles 38, which are pivoted at their inner ends on longitudinal pivots 39 so that the spindles 38 may be swung in vertical planes between the positions illustrated in solid and in dotted lines in Figure 8. In the solid line position of Figure 8, the spindles 38 rest in guides formed of angle irons if? welded to the main frame and braced by diagonal braces 41, and are retained in this position by metal straps 4-2. in their raised positions, the spindles 38 are retained by hook members 43 carried on the vertical diagonal braces 44 which support the hydraulic cylinders 37.

When the track aligning machine arrives at a point where it is to be used for bending a rail 11, the wheels 30 and 31 are raised relative to the main frame, by means of the hydraulic cylinders 37, and the wheels 3t) and 31 are swung upwardly on their spindles 38. This has the effect of lowering the main frame relative to the rails, the machine now being supported by engagement of the flanged rolls 28 with the rail 11 and the rolling supports 29 engaging the rail 10. The machine is now free to move transversely, to some extent, relative to the respective rails.

At either end of the main frame there is provided a generally U-shaped clamp or abutment member best seen in Figures 3, 4 and 5. Each clamp 50 comprises a pair of spaced parallel members mounted for sliding movement on either side of a fixed guide member 51 secured on the main frame members 15, 16 or 17, 18 as the case may be, which guide 51 also serves to support brackets 52 which in turn support hydraulic cylinders 53 for producing vertical movements of the clamps 50. The guide member 51 is secured to the main frame and the brackets 52 are welded to the lateral extremities of the guide member 51. When the machine is to be operated for bending a rail 11, the clamps 50 at either end of the machine are placed in their lower positions as illustrated in Figure 3.

Near the longitudinal center of the main frame there are provided two transverse supports 59 (Figures 1, 9) each comprising parallel angle irons 6t) welded across the main frame and connected adjacent their ends by plates 61. To the latter are secured the respective piston rods 62 of a two-way hydraulic cylinder 63 one of which is located in each support 53. Each hydraulic cylinder 63 is mounted on pedestals 65 which is slidable on the angle irons 60. A movable abutment member 66 is secured to the underside of the plate 65 between the parallel angle irons 6t) and thus moves transversely with the cylinder 63 as hydraulic fluid is admitted to one end or another of the latter and exhausted from the opposite end thereof. The abutment member 66 is generally of inverted U-shape, the respective legs being undercut, as shown, to accommodate the head portion 11 of the rail 11 when the abutment member engages the latter to produce the required movement or bending thereof. When the wheels iii), 30 and 31, 31' are in lowered position, the main frame of to the rails so that the abutment member 66 lies above the level of the rail head portion 11. When said wheels are raised relatively to the frame, the latter is supported on the rails by the flanged rollers 28 and rolling supports 29, and the movable abutment members 66 occupy the vertical poisition illustrated in Figure 9 relative to the rail 11.

For moving the machine along the tracks from point to point, with the wheels 30, 30, 31 and 31 in lowered position, there is provided a drive wheel 70 (Figures 1 and 6) operatively connected, as by means of a V-belt, to a hydraulic motor 71 which in turn is actuated through the hydraulic pump hereinbefore mentioned. The drive 64 carried on a plate wheel 70 is journalled on axle 72 supported between the arms of a yoke or cradle 73, which in turn is mounted on a pivot 74 supported in bearings 75 secured on the angle members 23, 23'. The cradle 73 may thus be rocked between the position shown in Figure 6, in which the drive wheel 70 is in engagement with rail 11, and a position in which the drive wheel is raised a substantial distance above the rail 11. Such rocking adjustment may be produced by means of a threaded rod 76 pivoted at its lower end to the respective side members of the cradle 73 and having threaded engagement with a hand wheel 77. The latter is retained against vertical travel between cross members 78 connecting inclined standards 79 welded at their lower ends to angle members 23, 23 which, in turn, are of course fixed to the main frame. The degree of frictional engagement of rail 11 by the drive wheel 70 may thus be manually regulated while, on the other hand, when the machine is to be used for rail alignment, involving a relative lowering of the main frame relative to the rail 11, the cradle 73 may be tilted accordingly.

A hydraulic circuit suitable for operating the various mechanisms described above is illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 12, the assemblage there shown being adapted for mounting on the main frame 15, 16, 17, 18 centrally thereof, between the transverse supports 59. A prime mover 80, for example a small gasoline engine, is drivingly connected to a hydraulic pump 81 of any suitable type, the intake of which is connected by conduit 82 to a reservoir 82. The high pressure side of pump 81 is connected through a conduit 83 with a manifold 84 which in turn supplies hydraulic fluid to the several devices in question through a series of valves 85 each of which connects with the manifold 84 through a conduit 86 and with an exhaust manifold 87 through a conduit 88. Each of the hydraulic cylinders described above is connected to the manifolds 84 and 87 through one of the valves 85, and a further valve 85 controls the supply and exhaust of hydraulic fluid to the motor 71. The details of the hydraulic cylinders, motor, pump and valves do not form part of the present invention, and will not be described.

Preferably, the seat 90 (Figure l) is provided extending laterally from the main frame at the longitudinal center of the machine, so that the operator may be seated confronting the bank of valves 85, for convenient operation of the various hydraulic devices. Thus, it will be apparent that a single operator, positioned as indicated, may control movements of the machine along the track from place to place, raising and lowering of the machine into and out of operative relation to the rail 11, and actuation of the hydraulic cylinder 63 to bring about proper alignment of misaligned portions of the rail. Adjustment of the end clamps or abutments 50 may be made, by means of the cylinders 53, to accommodate vertical curvature of the rail 11, as at the meeting of track sections having different angles of inclination to the horizontal.

When the track aligning machine is to be removed from the track, the wheels 30, 30' and 31, 31' are lowered into engagement with the respective rails, thus elevating the machine proper. A ramp (not shown) is then positioned across the track beneath the main frame of the track aligner, such ramp being provided with rails or guideways directed transversely of the railway track. A carriage movable along such rails or guideways is rolled to a position beneath the machine whereupon, by raising the wheels 30, 31, the main frame of the machine is lowered onto such carriage, and may be removed from the railway track by transverse movement of the said carriage. After removal of the machine from the track, that portion of the ramp extending across the track is also removed, leaving the track unobstructed.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a railway track aligner, in combination, a frame, a plurality of wheels iournalled in association with said first rail.

2. The combination defined in claim 1, said actuating means comprising a double-acting hydraulic cylinder and means for supplying fiuid under pressure to said cylinder.

3. The combination defined in claim 1, said actuating means comprising a pair of double-acting hydraulic cylinders, the cylinders of said pair being equally spaced from the respective ends of said frame, and means for supplying fluid under pressure to said cylinders.

4. The combination defined in claim 1, including means to raise and lower said wheels relative to said frame.

5. The combination defined in claim 4, said last means comprising a hydraulic cylinder associated wtih each said Wheel and means for supplying fluid under pressure to said cylinders.

other rail, and means for retaining each said spindle in fixed position relative to said frame at either end of its pivotal travel.

7. In a railway track aligner, in combination, a frame, a plurality of wheels journalled in association with said frame in substantial mutual alignment for rolling engage ment with a rail of said track, flanged rollers journalled on said frame and adapted to make rolling engagement with said rail, support means carried by said frame for rolling engagement with the other rail of said track, abutment means mounted on said frame adjacent the respective ends thereof and movable to positions closely adjacent either side of said first rail for engaging said first rail upon transverse movement of said frame in either direction, abutment means movable transversely of said frame to engage and press against either side of said first rail, and means for actuating said transversely movable abutment means to exert transverse pressure on said first rail.

8. The combination defined in claim 7, said rollers being movable transversely of said frame and said support means being wider than the wheel-engaging surface of the engaged rail, whereby said frame may move transversely while supported on said rails.

9. The combination of claim 7, including means to raise said wheels relative to said frame and said rollers whereby said frame is supported on said first rail only through said rollers.

10. The combination defined in claim 1, including a t3 drive wheel journalled in association with said frame, means for moving said drive wheel into and out of engagement with said first rail, and means for rotating said drive wheel.

11. The combination of claim 10, said last means comprising a rotary hydraulic motor, means for supplying fluid under pressure to said motor, and transmission means connecting said motor and said drive wheel.

12. The combination of claim 11, said motor and said drive Wheel being mounted port relative to said frame.

13. The combination of claim 1, including means mounting each said first-mentioned abutment means for vertical movements relative to said frame, and means for producing said last-mentioned movements.

14. The combination of claim 13, said last means comprising a hydraulic cylinder associated with each said first-mentioned abutment means, and means for supplying fluid under pressure to said cylinders.

15. In a railway track aligner, in combination, a frame, a plurality of wheels journalled in association with said frame in substantial mutual alignment for rolling engagement with a rail of said track, means mounting said Wheels the other rail of said track, mounted on said frame adjacent the respective ends thereof and movable to positions closely adjacent either side of said first means, and said last-mentioned abutment means, valvecontrolled conduits connecting said cylinders with said pump and said reservoir, and conduit means connecting said reservoir and said pump.

16. The combination of claim 15, including a drive wheel mounted in association with said frame, a hydraulic References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

